Byers graduated in 2008 from Scranton Preparatory School, where he earned four letters in baseball and two in basketball.  He was one of the country’s top prep pitchers, helping Scranton to Lackawann League Division I titles in 2006 and 2008 – while he was also a First-Team All-League selection all four years. 

During his junior campaign, Byers finished 1-2 with a 1.90 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 57 innings.  He pitched Scranton to the district championship and state playoffs his senior year, going 4-1 with 48 strikeouts in just 21 innings of work.  

In 2009, Byers rebounded from “Tommy John” surgery to produce a 2.40 ERA over 13 relief appearances while playing for Amsterdam in the New York Collegiate Summer League.  He struck out 24 batters over 15 innings, allowing just 10 hits as opponents hit just .179 against him.